HAITI'S SENATE yesterday ratified President Rene Preval's nominee for prime minister, paving the way for his confirmation.

The nomination of Jacques Edouard Alexis, 58, who was Prime Minister during Preval's 1996-2001 presidency, was expected to be considered by the lower house of parliament on Thursday.

If confirmed, Alexis would replace interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, who was appointed to lead this impoverished Caribbean nation after an uprising ousted former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004.

Alexis received 22 votes in favor and one abstention in the 27-seat Senate, said Jean-Junior Joseph, Latortue's press secretary. Four senators did not vote.